Shiloh Museum Exhibit

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, AR, was the gathering place for the most recent event in Northwest Arkansas related to the 50^th anniversary commemoration of the Buffalo National River. In January 2022 the museum opened a new exhibit, titled “Ken Smith’s Buffalo River Country,” featuring photos, memorabilia, manuscripts, and artifacts from author, trail-builder, and conservationist Ken Smith.  

Ken Smith at the Shiloh Museum

     The exhibit is focused primarily on the time in the mid-1960s when Ken was researching and exploring the Buffalo River watershed for background for his book, Buffalo River Country, first published in 1967. The exhibit is an historical look that conveys the feel of the Buffalo River area of almost 60 years ago. A large wall-sized map of the Buffalo River watershed is populated with Ken’s photos from specific areas, along with 15-20 other large photos. Manuscripts, reports, trail-building tools, and early maps hand-drawn by Ken complete the exhibit.  

The Ken Smith Interview

On April 27, Shiloh Museum staff hosted a gathering of Ozark Society members and friends from the Highlands Chapter and the Sugar Creek Chapter. Some fifty people attended to watch a 10-minute interview excerpt of Ken, followed by “live” questions from the audience and lively responses from Ken.  

     The exhibit will be up through the end of 2022. More information about the Shiloh Museum can be found at https://sh  ilohmuseum.org/ or by calling 479-750-8165. The 2022 Commemorative Re-issue of Buffalo River Country is on sale through the Ozark Society Store at https://www.ozarksociety.net/store/ and at the Museum. This reissue includes the “Past and Future” chapter from the three editions from 1967, 1970, and 1976 that describes the progress of the legislation for the Buffalo National River designation.